​​Gosport Hardway, Embarkation Point​

​​Constructed by Royal Engineers, the slips needed to be firm enough to take the weight of Allied tanks, such as Shermans and Churchills. Vehicles, including arms, were loaded onto Landing Ship Tanks (LST) at this specific location. The LST was the largest of the landing craft which was later used to ferry men and equipment to Normandy. They could be unloaded at sea onto smaller Rhino Ferries or directly onto beaches, but were tide dependant.

​The floor matting that is still visible is referred to as ‘chocolate blocks’ due to its design and colour. These were prefabricated blocks that were cemented into position.

The ​Hardway was not only intended for the movement of men and equipment to Normandy. It also served to receive wounded men from Normandy as well as prisoners of war fighting for the German Army. Historic photographs taken around June 1944 show the loading and unloading that took place at Gosport Hardway.

​Many of the tanks loaded here belonged to the 1st East Riding Yeomanry. Their Sherman tanks landed on Queen Sector, Sword Beach, Normandy around midday on D-Day.

​There is a memorial 50 yards from the slips. It commemorates Operation Overlord and those who took part in this operation. The stone block that the memorial plaque is affixed to is a part of rubble bought back from Caen following the bombings and resulting destruction in June and July 1944.